Display for hand-held electronics

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices without hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are triggered via wireless signals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention described here relates to displays that are designed toprovide operating power and security against theft for hand-heldelectronics that are offered for sale in a retail setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The business of building and servicing retail displays for hand-heldelectronics has developed into a sophisticated industry. “Big Box” andother large electronics retailers are the major industry customers. Thetypical display is a countertop-style display that involves a largenumber of hand-held electronic devices mounted to the countertop viaposts or similar kinds of mounting structures.

Mr. Roger Leyden was an early inventor of countertop display assembliesthat were initially used to mount film cameras in a retail location.U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,807 (“Leyden '807”) is typical and describes amounting body that carries a camera. The mounting body is lifted from apedestal or similar support so that the camera can be examined by apotential purchaser. The pedestal is one of many that would be mountedto a display surface.

Mr. Leyden also utilized retractors that had one or more conductor wiresfeeding up to the mounting body. To put this in historical perspective,Leyden obtained several patents on display designs during a period oftime before digital cameras, cell phones, and PDAs emerged in themarketplace. Security against theft was the primary issue, at the time,rather than supplying operating power to the device. Film cameras had nosignificant operational power requirements, for example. Therefore,Leyden '807 (as an example) tended to focus on security measures—whichis still important today—although power supply to individual devices hastaken on greater importance in the last decade because of how hand-heldtechnology and products have evolved.

As far as security is concerned, Leyden '807 remains a viable designfrom the standpoint that it describes a secondary security sensor cablecoming from a mounting body that is connected to a camera. The securitysensor is powered by the tether that comes up from beneath the counter.The tether provides both physical security and the electrical signal orpower line necessary to drive the sensor.

Because of the large numbers of devices mounted on the modern display,tethering each one creates a cable tangling problem. Leyden may or maynot have been the first to address that problem by using a cable reel asa security tether system where an alarm is triggered if the cable orsecondary cable connection is severed. However, this development gaverise to the use of cable “retractors” in the industry.

As digital cameras entered the marketplace in the late '90s, along withthe expanded use of cell phones and new cell phone designs, a need aroseto provide operating power as well as security functionality toindividual post positions on large retail displays. Other relatedproblems developed, at the time, involving the burdens imposed on thelocal salesperson who needed to make power supply changes at the displaywhen new hand-held models were swapped out with old ones, or theretailer changed its mix of brands offered for sale.

Swapping different hand-held models to and from many post positionscreates a power cable management problem for the average salesperson,particularly when different hand-helds with different power fittings andvoltage requirements are swapped to and from the same post position.Replacing products that have different operating voltages and power jackfittings requires ongoing changes in cabling that will be multipliedmany times over according to the number of products on display. Itcreates a very complex situation in a retail store as inventory rotates.

As a consequence, in or about 1999-2000, a predecessor entity toMerchandising Technologies, Inc. (“MTI”) developed a “universal”mounting puck that involved using a retractor that had a single voltageline connected to the puck for power supply purposes, thus eliminatingthe need for making power cable changes upstream of the puck's positionas product models changed. In other words, the “universal” designprovided a generic post position with a retractable tether where nocabling changes were needed underneath the display countertop in orderto swap products to and from the post. However, the single voltage powerline to the puck still remained part of a multi-conductor retractorcable that continued to have other wires in the cable that providedparallel circuits; one for power and the other for separately feedingpower to security sensors (or “security signals”) as per earlier designslike Leyden '807.

As part of the universal design, MTI also developed what is now known inthe industry as the “Smart Cable,™” which is a short power adaptor cablethat steps down the puck voltage (received from the retractor's powerline wire) to meet the specific power requirements of the hand-held.When changing out products, the salesperson simply picks the correct“Smart Cable™” to match the product. Thus, attaching the product with aunique “Smart Cable™” and reattaching secondary security sensor cables(if used) became the only thing the salesperson needed to do whenswapping products with the MTI design.

In or about 1998, Telefonix, Inc. designed an adaptor cable with a“modular connector” arrangement. This design multiplied the numbers ofindividual power wires or conductors within the retractor cable, witheach one supplying a unique voltage. The design was described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,386,906 (“Burke '906”).

The Burke '906 adaptor cables did allow swapping one hand-held withanother to and from a post position and, in this respect, served thepower requirements of different hand-helds at the same post position.However, Burke '906 was not marketable because it relies on mechanical“pin” connections to plug into specific line voltages offered by theretractor cable—that is, it had no easy way of adapting if new devicescame onto the market that needed other operating voltages.

MTI's early design became the industry standard. However, while Burke'906 and MTI's early design provided different ways to deal with powersupply issues for swapping out hand-helds on the display, they sharedsome similar technical problems that are associated with multi-conductorretractors. This issue related to “physical” security in that retailerswant hand-helds to be tethered to the display in a way that makes itdifficult to physically remove the hand-held regardless of whether orhow many electrical security sensors are used. A typical multi-conductorretractor provides this tethering function. However, the tether is notas physically secure as the steel cable tethers that were used in theretail industry in earlier years, before the advent of electricalsecurity sensors, like Leyden '807. Steel cable tethers fell out of usein the display industry because, obviously, they lack wiring and,therefore, the ability to conduct power and security signals to themounting puck position.

Another problem with multi-conductor retractors lies in the wear andtear these retractors undergo during the repeated cycling that occurs asthe consumer lifts and returns the puck to its original position on thedisplay. Because the retractors are generally low voltage systems, themechanical wear and tear sometimes alters the voltage transmittedthrough the wires or causes short circuits. While less of a problemtoday compared to ten years ago, at one point in time in the developmentof these products, mounted hand-helds were sensitive to relatively smallvoltage fluctuations in the power supply.

All of the above represents a variety of technical issues that have gonehand-in-hand with the evolution of the consumer hand-held market and theretailer's need to display powered-up products in an attractive way,while still maintaining theft against security.

There has been a long-felt need to completely eliminate multi-conductorretractors in the retail display industry. At the same time, however,retail displays need to continue to provide device power and securityfunctionalities at the puck position.

The design improvements disclosed here provide a solution. Theseimprovements are a continuation of past improvements developed by MTIcommencing from about ten years ago.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a summary of the various improvements disclosed in thisdocument. First and foremost, this disclosure involves retail displaysfor large numbers of hand-held electronic devices that are intended tobe offered for sale at “Big Box” retailers and similar retail outlets. Aretail display of this type may be used to sell a wide variety ofdevices such as digital cameras, cell phones, PDAs, camcorders,hand-held GPS devices, and other types of hand-held electronics. Thedisplay is also well-adapted to display new versions or types ofhand-held consumer electronic products that are likely to appear in themarketplace in the future.

While not always the case, the display improvements disclosed here willusually be implemented as part of a “countertop” display consisting of anumber (or plurality) of individual product positions, called “posts” or“post positions.” This involves mounting each hand-held device to thedisplay by means of a physical post assembly or other base structurethat is physically connected or mounted to the countertop. Sometimes thecountertop is a flat surface, sometimes it involves stair-steppeddisplay surfaces, or the like. In lieu of a countertop, sometimes thehand-helds are displayed on a wall rack in a retail location. Wall rackdisplays are more common in cell phone stores, as an example.

It is also common for displays of this kind to be connected to anunder-the-counter source module. As a person skilled in the art wouldknow, source modules provide security and power connections forindividual post positions. There are many variations in the way this isdone.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “power signal” is meant torefer to an electrical connection or electrical coupling that providesoperating power to a hand-held device or another component associatedwith a display post position. Similarly, the term “security signal”refers to an electrical connection or electrical coupling to a securitysensor, or secondary security sensor cable, or the like. These types ofnaming conventions are common in both the industry and patent literaturerelating to retail displays.

According to the improvements described here, transmission of a signalindicating a security breach is done “wirelessly.” The presentdisclosure focuses on “wireless” security functionality as one of agroup of novel features defined in the patentable claims.

Moreover, according to the improvements described here, the power supplyto individual hand-helds does not necessarily involve or require acontinuous and unbroken wire-to-wire cable connection between sourcemodule (or other power source) and the electronic device (which iscommon to display designs that use multi-conductor retractors).

More specifically, with respect to the wireless functionality describedabove, and referring to the Burke '906 patent as a basis for comparison(regarding security alarms), Burke '906 relies on a continuous,hard-wired electrical circuit between an under-the-counter source moduleand one or more security sensors via a multi-conductor retractor. InBurke '906, a hard-wired circuit is provided upstream of the hand-heldmounting member by the conductors (wires) in the multi-conductorretractor, which are necessary for providing the electrical connectionsfor security alarms. It should be mentioned that the disclosure in Burke'906 focuses on providing operating power to the hand-held.Nevertheless, Burke also describes security sensor signals and securityfunctionalities.

As indicated above, it is common to use a pressure-type security sensorswitch in the mounting member portion of a display post (the “puck”) atthe interface position where the hand-held is mounted to the puck.Removal of the hand-held from the interface position, for any reason,triggers a mechanical release or switch where the hand-held meets thepuck.

In prior designs, this generated a detectable security breach signal viabreaking the circuit defined by the hard-wired circuit connectionbetween puck and source or control modules below the counter. Similarly,it is common to use a secondary security sensor cable that electricallycouples the puck to the hand-held. Secondary sensors are used as anauxiliary to primary security sensors that are usually located at theinterface between puck and hand-held. Secondary sensors are usually inthe form of the type of short, secondary cable sensor that interconnectsthe puck and device as disclosed in Leyden's '807 patent. Either way, inpast designs the security alarm signal is communicated to the sourcemodule or other security electronics below the countertop by breaking ahard-wired circuit that is necessarily created or transmitted via amulti-conductor retractor.

In contrast, here, one of the things that sets the present disclosureapart from the prior art involves the elimination of the wires betweenthe power source and the puck, which means that multi-conductorretractors are no longer needed to tether the puck. In one preferredembodiment, this is done by substituting a mechanical reel (e.g.,braided steel cable) for conventional multi-conductor retractors.

At this point it should be understood that the term “mechanical reel”specifically means a reel mechanism, other than what is known as a“multi-conductor” reel, that utilizes a steel or metallic cable, or thelike, in lieu of a multi-conductor (i.e., multi-wire) retractor havingindividual conductor wires. A steel cable provides much better physicalsecurity than retractor cables that consist of little more thansmall-gauge wires. There may be other materials in lieu of steel thatcan provide the same level of physical security. Either way, the presentdisclosure is able to combine a high level of physical security (i.e.,steel cable that is hard to cut) and yet provide the needed electricalpower and security requirements of a modern display without hard-wiredor wire-to-wire means. The way power and security is provided with anon-conducting tether is summarized below.

In the present design, the puck carries its own electronics' board or“ECB.” The puck electronics resident on the ECB detect and communicate asecurity breach event, via wireless means, to display system controlelectronics that are located under the countertop or elsewhere. Thewireless transmission of the security event is or may be accomplished indifferent ways.

One way involves communication of a security breach signal completelywirelessly by using a small transmitter or antenna located within thepuck itself, and possibly, carried by the ECB. In another embodiment,the steel cable in the mechanical retractor is used as a transmittingantenna. One way of accomplishing this last functionality is to place atoroid in the base portion of the post assembly, such that the toroidsurrounds a portion of the steel cable. The toroid picks up or detectschanges in electromagnetic fluctuations in the cable that communicate asecurity breach condition (e.g., triggered by a pressure sensor on thepuck or disconnection of a secondary sensor cable).

Another aspect of the present disclosure involves a cable managementapparatus that operates from a single-source power supply (provided bythe source module or other power source located under the countertop).This is particularly applicable if a mechanical reel is used at a postposition, because the steel cable in the reel is not capable ofadequately transmitting a power voltage to the puck.

Unlike prior designs in the present case, a single-source power signalprovides everything that is needed to drive either the power needed tooperate the hand-held device or the power needed to drive any puckelectronics (once again, the puck serves as a mounting member for thehand-held).

The puck electronics will provide the security implementations and otherfunctions that are capable of being carried out at the puck level. Inthe present case, therefore, a single power source line can provide allthe power necessary to provide power, security, or any other electricalfunctions carried on at the puck level, in lieu of conventional designsthat use one power line circuit to the puck for hand-held power andanother power line circuit for the purpose of delivering electricity topower security sensors, which is another way of describing a“multi-conductor” retractor or the like. Also, in the present case, thesingle-source or single-circuit power is distributed or parceled out atthe puck level to drive both hand-held power functions and any securitysensors. This effectively makes the puck a generic platform locationwith a universal power source having been translated from a positionunderneath the countertop to the puck above, for both swappinghand-helds with different power requirements and changing securitysensors at the puck level, as needed. Using single source power to driveboth power and security at the puck level in this way is believed to beunique.

A portion of the power signal is parceled out at the puck level to thehand-held by puck electronics as a “pass through,” when the puck is atrest on the display. In many cases (e.g., cell phones), the hand-heldcarries its own battery that is charged via the puck and then suppliesoperating power when the consumer lifts and operates the device at thedisplay. In this particular situation, therefore, the “pass through”power drives the electronics in the hand-held itself and/or charges thehand-held's battery electronics in more or less the same way as anindividual adaptor/charger commonly provided by the hand-held'smanufacturer. At the same time, the puck serves as a universal poweradaptor for any and all hand-helds to be mounted to the puck via thetype of “Smart Cable™” design described above, or otherwise.

Some of the features disclosed here may be used outside the framework oftethered systems. However, while there may be tethering alternatives, inpreferred form, the puck will always be mechanically tethered to thedisplay in the manner described above.

As indicated above, there is no power or power signal delivered to thepuck via the mechanical tether because it lacks conductor wires.Instead, the puck has spring contacts that mate with complementarycontacts in the base portion of the post assembly where the pucknormally rests. Only the base portion of the post assembly is hard-wiredto the source module or other similar power source. Any power signalsupplied via the power source will be supplied at the time the springcontacts electrically engage when the puck is at rest. At that sametime, single-circuit power is supplied to the puck's ECB at asufficiently high voltage and amperage to charge any type of hand-heldthat will be mounted to the puck and drive any security functions at thepuck level.

The hand-held has a unique adaptor cable that electrically couples thehand-held to a power fitting on the puck. In order to step-down thepower voltage at the puck, or otherwise adjust it to match the powerrequirements of the hand-held, the adaptor cable is provided with aunique key circuit that adjusts puck power to meet the needs of thehand-held. In preferred form, this is done by building a resistorcircuit into the adaptor cable that matches the puck voltage to thehand-held's power requirements.

In order to facilitate the swapping of one type of hand-held withanother (having different power requirements, for example), each type ofhand-held will be supplied with its own unique adaptor cable having boththe correct power jack fittings (if needed) and the proper resistancevalue to step-down the voltage available from puck electronics.

Once again, when the puck is at rest, the post assembly contacts areengaged and power passes to the puck, via the ECB, and then is passedthrough the hand-held's electronics with the voltage delivered to thehand-held being adjusted via the adaptor cable. In the “at rest”position, the hand-held's battery changes in the usual way thatsimulates being plugged into a conventional adaptor cable when the puckis lifted from the display, the post assembly contacts are broken andthe hand-held is powered only by the hand-held's battery while it isexamined by the consumer.

Thus, according to one variation on the present disclosure, the puckdistributes power to the hand-held's internal battery when the device isat rest. As described above, when the puck is lifted, the hand-held'sbattery serves as the source for operating power, in the same way aconsumer uses the device.

However, because security sensors are not self-powered, the ECB, orpuck, as the case may be, independently carries its own battery. Thepuck battery is similarly charged when the puck is at rest and can drivepuck electronics separately after the puck is lifted.

In yet another version, some types of hand-helds will not be displayedwith their own internal batteries. In situations of this kind, in thepast, the device has been powered by a line directly to the device'spower jack fitting via a multi-conductor retractor. This is a common andhistorical implementation in the display of digital camcorders, forexample. In the present case, it is possible to design the footprint ofthe puck so that it carries a sufficiently large battery to drive boththe hand-held and other puck electronics at the same time, when the puckis in “lift” mode. Other power storage devices may be used in lieu of abattery such as, for example, a large capacitor.

As yet another alternative, it is possible to eliminate a mechanicalreel and replace it with another type of tethering cable that providesthe same tethering function, but without the reel that first pays outcable and then retracts it when the product is returned to the display.An example of an alternative arrangement would be a short “curly-Q” cordthat has no electrical function or wires within the cord. As materialtechnologies develop, fiber optic cables may serve as tethers where thecable transmits digital signals that are not used for power.

It is believed the customers (i.e., retailers) for the type of displaydisclosed here will probably always want the comfort provided by thephysical security of a mechanical tether. However, the wireless securityfunctionality offered by the present design allows elimination of anytether at all, if desired.

Because the puck carries its own electronics board, it is possible tocreate signals that are uniquely identifiable to specific postpositions, regardless of whether or not the unique signal is a securitysignal or some other type of informational signal that is useful to theretailer.

For example, when the post contacts are broken as the puck is lifted, itis possible to use that event to trigger different kinds of displayfunctionalities. In essence, the puck may wirelessly transmit a signalthat identifies a lift condition at that specific post position. Thatsignal is uniquely identifiable and can be used for media displays.

It is common to run media content at displays—which can be a combinationof running visual media displayed on a screen and/or audio media. Theuniquely identifiable triggering signal from a post position can be usedto trigger visual or audio media specifically tailored to the brandedproduct at the post position. That is, the retailer may identify that aparticular camera brand is mounted at post “A,” for example. When thatpost is triggered by a lift signal, the control electronics may cause anadvertisement specific to the brand or hand-held model that is playedwhile the consumer is examining it. Likewise, when the product isreturned, and a different one is lifted, a new, uniquely identifiablysignal is wirelessly transmitted for causing different media content tobe displayed. This arrangement makes for a useful set of sales featuresthat universally combine sales, security functions, and ease of swappingolder hand-held models with new ones as technology changes or new modelsare developed.

Using wireless signals to identify activity at different post positionsopens up additional functions that may be useful to the retailer. Forexample, the retailer can track the number of “lifts” at each postduring a given period of time. Information of this kind reveals whichbrands are the most popular or whether certain physical locations on thedisplay are better than others, regardless of brand or price.

It would be possible for the retailer to develop a single post plan or“planogram” that universally applies to every display in every store,thus obviating the need to individually program media content at eachstore. Having the ability to transmit a unique signal that identifiesmarketing activity at specific post positions enables translation ofthat signal into a corresponding media event.

As indicated above, prior art displays have relied on multi-conductorcables that are included as part of a reel assembly for providing bothelectrical power and electrical security signals to the mounting orpuck. In other words, the retractor carries one pair of wires for apower circuit that is connected to the power jack of the hand-held and aseparate pair of wires for a security circuit that drives securitysensors in the puck, or a secondary security cable, or both things atthe same time. The advantage of the present invention is that only onepower source or circuit from below the countertop is needed in order todrive both the power and security functions emanating from the puckposition. Moreover, because power can be supplied when the puck is at“rest,” and there is no need for under-the-counter power supply in“lift” mode, the need to use multi-conductor retractors is eliminated.Instead, mechanical retractors with steel cables can be used.

The foregoing summary will become better understood upon review of theattached drawings which are to be taken in conjunction with the writtendescription set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals and letters refer to like partsthroughout the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a “post” position for mounting anelectronic hand-held device to a retail display, with the Fig. showingthe device exploded from the post;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mounting member or “puck” portion ofthe post position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the puck and base member portions of the postillustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but shows the base portion of the“post” position with the puck in partial section;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIGS. 5-6, but shows part of the base memberportion removed;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the post shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a display constructed in accordance withthe invention, and schematically illustrates a plurality of postpositions connected to a supply module;

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 9, but illustrates power supply features ofthe invention;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of the top part of a post;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart explaining security alarm conditions;

FIG. 13 is a continuation of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is the first in a series of two electronic schematicsillustrating the electronics in the puck portion of the invention;

FIG. 14B is the follow-on schematic from FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating selected alert conditions for thedisplay;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart like FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart like FIGS. 15-16;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart like FIGS. 15-17;

FIG. 19 is a top view of a post position and schematically illustratesthe interconnections between a puck and electronic device;

FIG. 20 is a view like FIG. 19, but illustrates how one device may beswapped with another off a post;

FIG. 21 is a view of a source/alarm module;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrates a display systemhaving a plurality of post positions along with a display monitor thatshows media content depending on which electronic device is examined bya consumer;

FIG. 23 is a schematic that illustrates display functionalities of theinvention;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart that illustrates the logic underlying displayfunctionality;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart like FIG. 24; and

FIG. 26 illustrates how variable media content is developed forindependent post positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, and referring first to FIG. 1, shown generally at 10 isan improved display post assembly constructed in accordance with thevarious design improvements described and claimed here. The postassembly 10 includes a base assembly portion (indicated generally at 12)and a puck assembly portion (indicated generally at 14).

First, beginning with base assembly 12, the display post 10 includes abase assembly portion or fitting 16 that is mounted to a displaycountertop surface 18. The base portion 16 has an annular flange 20 thatrests on top of surface 18. Extending downwardly from the annular flange20 is a threaded portion 22 that carries a bracket 24. The bracket 24further carries a mechanical retractor (indicated generally at 26).

The mechanical retractor 26 is conventional in design and includes aspring-loaded steel cable (indicated generally at 28), the length ofwhich is drawn from and returned to the retractor housing 30 as the puckassembly 14 is lifted from and returned to the base assembly 12. Thegeneral construction of the mechanical retractor 26 (with steel cable)would be familiar to a person skilled in the art. However, a toroid 32is mounted to an upper part of the retractor's housing 30. The toroid 32surrounds the steel cable 28. Its function is further described later.

There are other electrical components (indicated generally at 34)mounted to a circuit board assembly 36 on the reel housing 30. Thesecomponents electrically connect the puck assembly 14 to anunder-the-countertop source module (described later) via cable 38, whenthe puck assembly 14 is resting on base 16.

Turning now to the puck assembly 14, it includes a lower portion 40 thatnests within the space (indicated generally by arrow 42) in base part20. The upper portion of the puck, indicated at 44, houses a puckelectronics control board, or “ECB,” which will be described later inthe context of other application drawings. The puck assembly 14 carriesa hand-held 46 which is mounted to the puck assembly 14 in conventionalways known to those who are familiar with countertop displays.

FIG. 2 illustrates the post assembly 10 with a variation in the mountingbracket 24. FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2. However, FIG. 3 is sectionedaxially along the length of the post assembly 10 and reveals thelocation of spring contacts (the location is generally indicated at 48)that provide the means for supplying power to the puck assembly 14.These contacts will now be described by referring to FIG. 7.

Directing attention there, FIG. 7 illustrates an annular plate 50 (thatis also shown in FIG. 3). The annular plate or part 50 rests within thelower portion of the base's threaded part 22. The lower portion 40 ofthe puck assembly 14 has slots 52 (see, e.g., FIG. 8). Preferably, theseslots 52 are distributed around the circumference of part 40 and slideover a complementary set of spring contacts 54 that are resident on theannular part 50. There may be different variations on the way this isdone. As is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the spring contacts 54 on theannular part 50 are “female.” The lower portion or part 40 of puckassembly 14 carries “male” contacts 56 (see FIG. 8). These male contacts56 engage with the female contacts 54 when the puck assembly 14 rests inthe base part 20. At that time, an electrical connection is made betweenthe puck 14 and base 16.

Turning now to FIG. 8, which is an exploded view, the male contacts 56are connected to an electronics control board (“ECB”) 58 via assembly60. The ECB 58, which will be further described later, resides withinpuck part 44.

Another wire assembly 62 connects the female contacts 54 to the circuitboard 36 that normally rests above the mechanical retractor 26. Thesecond wire assembly is further connected to cable 38 which, asmentioned above, connects the post assembly 10 to a source module orother under-the-counter control electronics (described later). It shouldbe mentioned at this point that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8includes a clamping structure 64 or similar means that holds the basepart 20 in place relative to bracket 24.

FIG. 8 also provides a good view of the ECB 58 and other component partsthat reside within the puck assembly 14. One of the more importantfeatures of the design described here is that the puck continues to bein an active, operating state after the consumer lifts it from the baseassembly 12.

As described above, when a “lift” event occurs, the electricalconnection that is created by spring contacts 54 and 56 is broken. Theonly power line connection from under the counter to the puck occurswhen the puck assembly or puck 14 is at rest (as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and5-6, for example). At this point in time, the wiring assembly that isdefined by the serial connections consisting of cables 38, 62 and 60provide one power wire circuit (single source power) from under thecounter to the ECB 58. As a skilled person would understand, the postassembly 10 is operated on DC voltage. Therefore, the circuit needs tobe defined by two wires within the cable just described, one to create a“ground.” This one circuit is the sole wire-to-wire connection thatarises between under-the-counter control electronics and the puckassembly 14 and it arises only when the puck is at “rest.”

The design offers at the puck, or ECB 58 level, a sufficiently highvoltage and amperage to operate any kind of hand-held that might bemounted to the top face surface 66 of the puck assembly 14. For example,the voltage offered at the puck level might be as high as 18 volts.Assuming the amperage is sufficient, this voltage is more than adequateto operate the various types of hand-helds sold on the market today, ifthe voltage is stepped-down from the puck assembly 14, which will bedescribed later.

Directing the reader's attention to FIG. 19, arrow 68 generallyindicates the wire assembly described above that provides power to theECB 58 when the puck is at rest. At that time, the ECB 58 has circuitrythat passes the voltage through to a connector fitting 70 on one side ofthe puck 14. According to a preferred embodiment, a short adaptor cable,indicated generally at 72, interconnects the puck connector 70 and thepower jack on the hand-held 46. The hand-held power jack is generallyindicated at 74.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the adaptor cable 22 has a unique key circuitor resistor circuit (R1) that adjusts the voltage supplied by ECB 58 tothe specific power requirements of the hand-held 46. As a person skilledin the art would know, a typical cell phone operates at a differentvoltage relative to a camcorder, as one example.

The adaptor cable 72 connects the ECB 58 to the hand-held's internalbattery 76. This, of course, charges battery 76. When the puck assembly46 is in “lift” mode, the hand-held's battery 76 allows the consumer tooperate the hand-held on the puck, so that the consumer can visuallyinspect the hand-held's display, how its buttons work, etc.

As indicated previously in this disclosure, one of the overalladvantages of the post assembly described here is that it provides aneasy way for a salesperson to swap different hand-held devices 46 to andfrom the post assembly position. This is schematically indicated in FIG.20 by the second adaptor cable 78. The second adaptor cable 78 will havea different resistance value (R2) that steps down the voltage from ECB58 to a uniquely different level. Thus, the retailer or retailer'ssalesperson simply selects the appropriate adaptor cable thatcorresponds to the model or brand of hand-held and swaps one with theother by simply removing and replacing the hand-held from the puck'supper surface 46.

In FIG. 20, arrow 80 generally represents an under-the-counter sourcemodule 80 (described further below). Power from the source module 80 isdistributed by the ECB 58 which passes one portion to the hand-held 46and another portion to ECB circuitry (see FIGS. 14A-B) and a battery 82.The battery 82 is also illustrated in FIG. 8. Its size will be avariable depending on application or the physical footprint of the puckassembly 14.

The puck battery 82 is also charged by ECB circuitry when the puckassembly 14 is at rest. When lifted, the puck battery 82 then serves todrive ECB electronics, which will include one or more security sensors.Referring to FIG. 4, for example, it is common to use secondary securitysensors like the one illustrated generally at 84. A security sensor ofthis type will connect to the ECB 58 via fitting 86 (see, for example,FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 4, an outer end 88 of the secondary cable 84may include a pressure-type sensor with a pressure pad or pressurebutton that rests against one side of the hand-held 46. The pressure padportion is generally indicated at 90 in FIG. 4. The pressure pad 90 maybe held in place by a cable strap 92 that surrounds the hand-held 46.Similarly, the hand-held 46 may be held in position against the topsurface 66 of the puck assembly 14 via another cable strap 94.

It is also common to use another security sensor at the interfacebetween the hand-held 46 and puck top surface 66. FIG. 4 illustrates apressure button 96 that is depressed when the hand-held 46 is mounted tothe puck assembly 14. Another illustration of the pressure button 96 isshown in FIG. 6 where the ECB 58 is revealed as well.

The pressure button 96 is released when the hand-held 46 is removed.Disconnection of the secondary sensor cable 84 or release of thepressure button 96 will trigger a security signal that is transmitted inthe manner described below.

Referring again to FIG. 19, arrow 98 generally indicates a line thatcorresponds to the cable 28 carried by the mechanical retractor 26. Asdescribed above, and continuing to refer to FIG. 19, the retractor cable98 is preferably a braided steel cable for mechanical security purposes.While not adequate or suited for functioning as a typical conductor(e.g., for transmitting power or security signals), the cable 98 (seeFIG. 19) is nevertheless capable of functioning as an antenna.Therefore, the ECB electronics (see FIGS. 14A-B) are designed to applyan electromagnetic signal to cable 98. In this manner, the cable 98therefore serves as a transmitting antenna with fluctuations in theelectromagnetic signal serving as a means to communicate various kindsof information.

One kind of obvious information to be communicated by ECB 58 relates toa security breach condition that could be triggered by the secondarysecurity cable 84 or pressure button 96 described above. In other words,if a user should attempt and be successful at removing the hand-held 46from the puck assembly 14, the depressed pressure button 96 will bereleased thus triggering a signal that is picked up by the ECB board.This, in turn, will cause a change in what is transmitted via theantenna that is created by the mechanical retractor's cable 98.

It is to be appreciated that the wireless functionality described abovecould be handled in other ways such as, for example, building a smallantenna on the puck ECB board 58. However, many of the past problemsrelating to display technologies of the type described here involvesongoing reliability problems. Post assemblies need to operate for longperiods of time without maintenance. Maintenance is a problem for aretailer because these systems are becoming highly sophisticated and theretailer lacks the capability or means to fix serious technical problemswhen they arise. Therefore, it is believed that creating antennastructure in the form of a mechanical steel retractor cable is a highlyreliable way to generate electronic signals over a long period of timewithout malfunctions. As indicated above, signals transmitted by thecable/antenna 98 are picked up by the toroid 32 that is resident on themechanical retractor 26 (see FIGS. 19 and 1, for example).

Directing the reader's attention now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is aschematic arrangement that reflects a typical display installation at aretail site. The post assembly 10 previously described is illustrated inFIG. 9 with additional letter designations (10A, 10B, etc.) to reflectthe different numbers of posts used in a typical display. To the extentthis description refers to post “A”, for example, post “A” is meant torefer to post assembly 10A in FIG. 9, and so forth.

In the previous description relating to FIGS. 1 and 8, cable 38 wasdescribed as part of an overall wiring assembly that connected each postassembly 10 to a source or control module that is normally located underthe countertop of the display. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 38schematically indicates the cable just described, for each post assembly10A-10H. Each cable is connected to a conventional low voltage connector100A-H on a control module 102.

An enlarged view of the control module 102 is illustrated in FIG. 21.The control module 102 may have terminal blocks 104, 106. A key pad, asschematically indicated at 108 in FIG. 9, makes it possible to set upremote control alarm activation, if desired.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the control module is powered by conventionalmeans, and preferably, operates as a low voltage system that hasdifferent power adaptors (e.g., power supply for battery backup) 110,112 for the purpose of driving different functionalities coming off ofthe control module 102. Obviously, the single-source power line to eachpost assembly 10, as described above, emanates from the control module102. However, as will be further described later, the control module 102may also serve as a distributor for other signal functions (i.e.,triggering the display of media content), depending on which pucks 14are lifted from a respective post position. The control module 102 mayhave its own battery backup 114 in case of power failure. Otherwise, theentire control system may be driven from a conventional power strip 116,which would be familiar to a person skilled in the art. It should bementioned, at this point in time, that arrow 118 in FIG. 9 generallyrefers to the power supply features described above relative to FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 22, for example, the control module 102 (labeledas “alarm” module, which is one way of referring to “control” module) isconnected to another control module (“UIM”) 122 via a logic cable 120.Another wiring assembly for cable assembly 124, 126 interconnects theUIM module 122 to a media player 128 or the like. The media player 128will typically have its own power supply 130.

Post assembly position 10B in FIG. 22 represents a typical puck “lift”condition. When this happens, the post assembly's spring contacts 54, 56are broken. The ECB board 58 in the puck detects breaking of thecontacts 54, 56 and generates an appropriate signal to the controller102 that indicates “lift.” While this may be done in different ways,preferably, the signal is communicated via cable/antenna 98 to toroid 32(see FIG. 19) that is resident on the mechanical retractor (see FIGS. 1and 8, for example).

Redirecting attention briefly to FIG. 8, for example, the toroid 32resides on a circuit board 36 on top of the mechanical retractor 26.Cable 38 is a multi-conductor cable that interconnects circuit board 36to the controller 102. Thus, both security signals (via toroid 32, forexample) and power signals are communicated between the mechanicalretractor position 26 and controller 102 via a “multi-conductor” cable.However, and referring to FIG. 1, power is supplied via a single sourceor single line, which is indicated generally by reference numeral 62. Inother words, arrow 132 indicates a power wire from circuit board 36 tothe spring contacts 54, 56 within the puck assembly 10 as previouslydescribed.

Referring back to the media player 128, when the puck at post position10B is lifted, the controller 102 detects the lift signal andcommunicates it to the media player. The UIM module 122, in essence,translates the signal and instructs the media player 128 to play contentthat has been uniquely mapped to post position 10B.

For example, if post position 10B carries a particular make, model orbrand of a camera, the media player 128 is instructed to play pre-storedcontent for that particular device. The media content may be visuallydisplayed via a conventional monitor 134 or it may be combined withaudio content that is broadcast from local speakers (not shown) thatexplains unique features about the device.

It is to be appreciated at this point, that the post assembly 10described herein, when implemented in an overall system of the kindillustrated in FIG. 22, provides a truly universal system for aretailer. When the system is installed, the permanent components consistof the under-the-counter control modules, media content player (orplayers) and the hardware configurations of the posts. What is left forthe retailer to do is swap models to and from post positions or add orsubtract media content that is correlated to individual post positions.

FIG. 23 illustrates another variation of the system described above. Itis possible to program media content at the display level in differentways. In preferred form, for any display having a monitor 134, therewill always be something playing on the monitor (arrow 136) even when nopucks are lifted at any post or “SKU” position. According to the systemdescribed above, when a “lift” is detected at any particular postposition, then a media file specific to that position can be played, asindicated at 138.

An advantage to the system is that it is possible to interface a displayat any particular store with media content that is created off-site andprovided via the internet or other means, as indicated at 148. In thisway, and for large retailers who will have their own media departments,in particular, the retailer may assemble media content 150 at a separatecorporate location and transmit it to individual displays (at differentstore locations) from media storage 152. This may be accomplished indifferent ways that include either adjusting content on a per post basisor generically mapping out (“planogram”) all post positions at the sametime. With respect to the latter concept, some retailers may installidentical displays having the same arrangement and number of postpositions, monitors, etc. at a variety of stores. In situations of thiskind, it is possible to develop generic plans, as shown at FIG. 26,where the retailer or supplier can create a media plan that selectivelycontrols all the post positions. At the same time, the salesperson issimply instructed as to which hand-held device model needs to beinstalled in a certain position. In other words, a central corporatelocation can provide a single sheet or sheets of instructions for itsdisplay that tell the salesperson nothing more than what type of cameraand power adaptor cable (between camera and puck) needs to be put ateach post position. Thereafter, media content is supplied automaticallyvia the internet or the like. FIGS. 24-25 generally indicate the controllogic for the system just described.

Next, returning to FIG. 22, in preferred form, each puck assembly 14will carry a light ring 154 that can be used to visually output certainkinds of security alarm conditions or other alerts. For example, eachlight ring position 154 may output different flashing sequences that aretriggered by different security breach events. Referring to FIGS. 12 and13, for example, the light rings may be programmed to flash by certainevents such as product being removed from the puck (156); an active puckbeing removed from the display (158); cutting of the mechanicalretractor cable (160); removal of the secondary or other securitysensors (162); incorrect product mounting (164); or other kinds ofindicia of faulty puck operation (166). FIGS. 12-13 illustrate theflowchart logic for implementing the system. Audio alarms may betriggered at the same time as a flashing light ring. It is to beappreciated that, in accordance with the design described here, thelight ring is built into the puck assembly. Therefore, it may be drivenby the ECB battery 82 (previously described).

Finally, the light ring system 154 may also be used to indicate a widevariety of alerts that communicate whether each post position isoperating correctly. These alerts may range from steady light output ateach post position (indicating the puck assembly 14 is armed andcharging at that post position when at rest) or no light (indicatinglack of power) different kinds of flashing and/or alarm siren cycles mayalso be used to indicate different kinds of alert conditions, asreflected in FIGS. 15-18.

It is to be appreciated that the foregoing description sets forth thebest known examples and embodiments. It is not intended that any of theforegoing description be used to limit the scope of the patentprotection. Instead, all patent protection is to be defined solely bythe patent claim or claims that follow this description, theinterpretation of which is to be made according to the legal rules ofpatent claim interpretation and the rules and regulations of the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable management apparatus for use in mountingone of a plurality of electronic devices to a display, including: amounting member adapted to carry an electronic device, wherein themounting member may be lifted and returned to a resting position on thedisplay, and further, the mounting member is electrically connected toat least one source module and receives at least one electrical signalat least when the mounting member is in the resting position; anelectronics board carried by the mounting member, the electronics boardcarrying security circuitry, with the electronics board being adapted topass at least a portion of the at least one electrical signal to theelectronic device and another portion of the at least one electricalsignal to the security circuitry carried by the electronics board, andwherein the security circuitry carried by the electronics board isadapted to create a wirelessly transmitted security condition signalthat originates from the location of the mounting member; and asecondary security sensor cable assembly for electrically coupling theelectronic device to the mounting member, the secondary security sensorcable assembly being connected to the security circuitry carried by theelectronics board.
 2. The cable management apparatus of claim 1,including a tether cable assembly that includes a retractable cableconnected to the mounting member for tethering the mounting member tothe display.
 3. The cable management apparatus of claim 2, wherein theretractable cable is a mechanical cable, and further, the mountingmember is connected to receive the electrical signal by a wire-to-wireconnection when the mounting member is in the resting position, andwherein the wire-to-wire connection is broken when the mounting memberis lifted from the resting position.
 4. The cable management apparatusof claim 3, wherein the security circuitry is adapted to use theretractable cable as an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the securitycondition signal.
 5. The cable management apparatus of claim 3,including: a battery carried by the mounting member that is charged bythe at least one electrical signal, the battery being adapted to operatethe security circuitry when the wire-to-wire connection is broken. 6.The cable management apparatus of claim 1, including: an adaptor cableassembly for electrically coupling the electronic device to the mountingmember, the adaptor cable assembly being characterized in that theadaptor cable assembly adjusts the voltage of the at least oneelectrical signal to match the operating voltage of the electronicdevice.
 7. A cable management apparatus for use in mounting one of aplurality of electronic devices to a display, including: a mountingmember adapted to carry an electronic device, wherein the mountingmember may be lifted and returned to a resting position on the display,and further, the mounting member is electrically connected to at leastone source module and receives at least one electrical signal from thesource module at least when the mounting member is in the restingposition, and further, the mounting member is connected to receive theelectrical signal by a wire-to-wire connection when the mounting memberis in the resting position, and wherein the wire-to-wire connection isbroken when the mounting member is lifted from the resting position; anadaptor cable assembly for electrically coupling the electronic deviceto the mounting member, the adaptor cable assembly being characterizedin that the adaptor cable assembly adjusts the voltage of the at leastone electrical signal to match the operating voltage of the electronicdevice; and a secondary security sensor cable assembly for electricallycoupling the electronic device to the mounting member, the secondarysecurity sensor cable being operable to generate a security conditionsignal; and a means for operating the secondary security sensor cablewhen the wire-to-wire connection is broken.